Lit eZine Vol 4 | p-17 | FICTION | Where Equality Reigned Supreme

SHORT STORY

WHERE EQUALITY REIGNED SUPREME
by Megha S. Gupta

Once upon a time in a curious town settled in the midst of rolling slopes and sprouting knolls, there lived a surprising youthful lady named Valeria. Her title, determined from the equivalent word for “Virago,” was a confirmation to her quality, flexibility, and immovable spirit. Valeria grew up in a society that underestimated the control and potential of ladies. They were anticipated to be bashful, tame, and limited inside the boundaries set by the patriarchal standards. But Valeria’s heart burned with a fire that refused to be quenched. She longed for a world where ladies would be recognized for their genuine worth and treated as equals.

One sunny morning, as Valeria stood next to the murmuring stream that streamed through the heart of the town, she took note of a shriveling sapling battling for life in the midst of the rough landscape. Moved by the discovery, she bowed down, tenderly supported the sensitive plant in her hands, and chose to sustain it back to well-being. Day after day, she showered it with delicate care, watering it, protecting it from cruel winds, and whispering words of encouragement. As the seasons passed, the sapling developed into a radiant tree, extending its branches tall into the sky. The villagers marveled at its glory, but few knew of Valeria’s resolute endeavors behind its victory. The tree became an image of her assurance, a reflection of the idle quality inside her. Valeria’s activities did not go unnoticed. Other ladies within the town, motivated by her flexibility and immovable conviction, started to assemble around her. They shared their stories, their dreams, and their dissatisfactions. Bound by a common want for change, they shaped a sisterhood, vowing to challenge the status quo and battle for gender equality. With each passing day, Valeria and her newly discovered companions travelled further towards strength. They organized social occasions where ladies could express their thoughts openly, unshackled by the chains of societal rules. Valeria, with her unstoppable soul, got to be their directing light, empowering them to be satisfied with their gentility and to appreciate their unique strengths.

But the flames of hope were met with resistance, as negative stereotypical individuals threatened by the power of united women, sought to suppress their voices and extinguish the burgeoning fire of sisterhood. These narrow-minded individuals, steeped in the misogyny of the past, tried to silence Valeria and her allies at every turn. Their venomous words and oppressive tactics were aimed at crushing the rising tide of change. One evening, as Valeria and her sisters gathered in the town square, a group of individuals decided to stage a public spectacle to silence the sisters. Under the dim glow of the street lamps, the antagonists appeared, their faces contorted with disdain as they sneered at the women who dared to challenge their oppressive norms. Leading the charge was a man named Richard, known for his loud and condescending demeanor. With a smug grin, Richard stepped forward, holding a crude caricature of Valeria in his hand. The offensive drawing depicted her as a wild, untamed shrew, an attempt to mock her intelligence and dismiss her ideas. He brandished the drawing high, parading it before the gathering crowd.

“Behold, the so-called champion of women’s rights!” Richard shouted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “A woman like her should be at home, tending to her husband’s needs, not meddling in matters beyond her comprehension.” The crowd gasped, and a few murmurs of agreement rose from some bystanders who were still swayed by the regressive ideas of the past. Valeria’s eyes blazed with indignation, but she stood her ground, refusing to let their mockery break her spirit. Undeterred, Richard continued his vile performance, gesturing toward the women standing beside Valeria. “And who are these? A gaggle of troublemakers seeking to upset the natural order? Hah! They should be grateful for the protection we offer, not demanding rights they don’t deserve.”

As he spoke, some of the other antagonists joined in, hurling insults and derogatory slurs at the women. The atmosphere turned tense, and a palpable sense of fear and anger hung in the air. But the sisterhood refused to cower. One of Valeria’s allies, a young woman named Emily, stepped forward, her voice steady but defiant. “We are not here to demand what we don’t deserve. We are here to claim what is rightfully ours – equality, respect, and the freedom to live without fear. The words struck a chord with some in the crowd, and a few individuals began to question the motives of the antagonists. Sensing the shift, Richard grew agitated, resorting to a last-ditch effort to suppress the sisterhood. He raised his voice, fueling the crowd’s emotions. “These women want to turn our society upside down. They seek to rob us of our traditions and values” he declared, hoping to stoke the flames of fear and resistance. But Valeria and her sisters remained resilient. With grace and composure, Valeria stepped forward, her voice commanding attention. “We seek not to destroy, but to build a better world for everyone,” she said, her words echoing through the square. “A world where each person’s worth is not defined by their gender but by their character and contributions.”

Her powerful words resonated with those open to change, and the tide slowly began to shift in favor of the sisterhood. The antagonists’ nasty trick had failed to extinguish the flames of progress; instead, it only fueled the sisterhood’s determination to fight back against the oppressive forces, and to ensure that their voices would not be silenced. Undeterred, Valeria and her sisters stood strong, refusing to bow to the pressures of society. They harnessed their collective strength, challenging unjustifiable laws that sought to bind them and deny them basic rights. With determination etched upon their faces, they campaigned tirelessly for education opportunities for young girls, knowing that knowledge was the key to unlocking a brighter future. As the antagonists spewed venom, trying to fuel the fire of doubt and prejudice, Valeria’s powerful words served as a shield for her sisters. Standing before crowded halls, she fearlessly took on the challenge, her voice unwavering and her message resonating with those yearning for change. Hearts and minds were captured, and the closed doors that had denied women their rightful place began to creak open.

But the battle was not easy. The negative stereotypes clung to the fringes of society, fueling gender-based violence and attempting to undermine the sisterhood’s progress. Yet, the sisterhood fought back, their ranks growing stronger as ladies from neighboring towns and far-off cities joined their cause. United in their pursuit of justice, they rose above the taunts and challenges, refusing to be silenced. In the face of adversity, the sisterhood became a beacon of strength and unity, illuminating the path towards a world where women’s voices would not just be heard but listened to, respected, and celebrated. Valeria, embodying the true essence of the word “Virago,” led the charge, inspiring generations to come, breaking free from the chains of prejudice, and forging a new era of equality. A long time passed, and Valeria’s influence extended well beyond her town’s borders. Her spirited pursuits triggered a revolution that purged the landscape, demolishing the boundaries of inequity. Women anticipated leadership roles, their voices echoing through the corridors of power, and their aspirations shaping the future.

Valeria’s story became a legend, passed down from one era to the next. She epitomized the control of a word akin to “termagant” by inspiring women to rise above societal norms and believe in their ability to effect change. Her legacy endured, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the countless valiant women who dared to challenge the world and transform it into a place where equality reigned supreme.